A METHOD OF GENERATING AN ENCAPSULATED AGGREGATE OF PANCREATIC CELLS

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of generating an encapsulated aggregate of pancreatic cells comprising the steps of: (a) providing pancreatic cells having the following properties: (i) the ability to be passed from one culture vessel to a second vessel at an initial concentration of about 180 cells per square centimeter and expanded to about 1,800 cells per square centimeter, and (ii) both the unexpanded and expanded cells are 90% PDX-l positive and have an insulin:actin mRNA ratio of between 1: 1 00 and 1000: 1, (b) forming the cells into an aggregate of pancreatic cells comprising an encapsulating mantle of CKl9-positive cells and an inner cell mass. The present invention further relates to medicament for providing insulin to a mammal comprising the composition.